Masnawi Sacred Texts of Islam Book One

The "Masnawi" is Rumi`s greatest poetic work, composed during the last years of his life. He began it when he was between the ages of 54-57 [about 1258-1261] and continued composing its verses until he died in 1273 (with the last story remaining incomplete). It is a compendium of sufi stories, ethical teachings, and mystical teachings. It is deeply permeated with Qur`anic meanings and references. Rumi himself called the Masnavi "the roots of the roots of the roots of the (Islamic) Religion... and the explainer of the Qur`an (Masnavi, Book I, Preface). The story of how the beginning of the composition of the Masnavi has been told in the hagiography written by Aflaki (written between 1318-53), a disciple of Rumi`s grandson: "Sirijuddin, the Mathnawi-reciter [masnavi-khwin] at the Tomb (of Rumi) told the story that the reason for the composition of the book of the Masnavi-yé Ma`nawi, which is the Revealer of the secrets of the Qur`an was: One day Hazrat-i... Husimuddin [Chelebi-- Rum